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Why I Began A Daily Journal

In 2015, my goal was to begin a habit of daily writing. The solution was a daily journal.

For me, starting a daily writing habit was a way for me to emulate “successful people”. To start, I began writing freelance articles, attempting a journal, and trying to find a series of prompts.

Daily writing is a New Years Resolution. As with most New Years Resolutions, I fell off the wagon rather quickly.

Why?

I did not have a clear purpose of why I wanted to begin the habit. After taking a couple months break, it occurred to me why daily writing is beneficial.

Writing every day boosts creativity, and provides a way to clear your thoughts. A brain dump so you can focus on the day ahead.

I didn’t want to begin aimlessly writing words. I needed some focus. A way to create something beneficial. It doesn’t matter if it is just peace of mind or the next literary masterpiece.

This is how I began to write a “daily journal”.

This is not “Dear Journal”. It’s about what I did yesterday and what my plans for today are. Really, it is a way to structure my thoughts before walking out the door. After a short time, I realized the benefits.

Journaling is a tool to document successes and failures. Providing reflection to better plan for the next day, the next call, or the next promotion. I should have been doing this years ago.

I chose a daily journal structure, and here is what it looks like.

The Daily Journal Structure

I have my daily journal separated into three sections. I take a look at what I did yesterday, how I am now, as well as my plans for today.

It’s a simple concept of past present and future. For me, it provides structure and a nudge to start writing.

Also, I find it easier to write with questions then a blank page.

Yesterday

In the yesterday section, I take a look at the prior day’s tasks. It is a way to reflect on what I have accomplished, read, and learned.

Forcing myself to reflect on the previous day is asking whether I was productive or busy. A way to improve focus and productivity.

Now

The now section is an opportunity to free write. If there is a topic or issue I am thinking about, I can jot it down. Then, I can come back to it later and explore it in more depth.

It is a brain dump opportunity. Mind clearing to be clear, concise, and effective in my daily tasks. Being physically in one place and mentally in another can be a productivity killer.

My Plans

The final section is planning for the day. Laying out a roadmap of the day’s most important tasks. This is a chance to plan, prioritize, and organize.

To take this one step further, I use the Tim Ferriss strategy. I define the one item I need to do today, even if nothing else happens.

This creates priorities in my day. I can then begin to do the most important item first, which is probably the most daunting.